Joint AMS & ABS Conference 2026
Travel Grants
The 22nd Australasian Bat Society (ABS) conference will be jointly held with the Australian Mammal Society (AMS) and will be held in Canberra in July 2026. Full details of the conference and information on how to register and submit abstracts will be available on the conference webpage.
Due to the generosity of the attendees at the 21st ABS conference dinner auction in Adelaide, our generous conference sponsors and our accumulated ABS funds, we are delighted to be able to offer a number of travel grants. The aim of these grants is to assist ABS members, who would otherwise find it difficult to attend due to the cost of travel, in making their way to the conference. Note that in addition to encouraging students to apply, we also encourage other low-income earners to apply as well.
Due to the generosity of the attendees at the 21st ABS conference dinner auction in Adelaide, our generous conference sponsors and our accumulated ABS funds, we are delighted to be able to offer a number of travel grants. The aim of these grants is to assist ABS members, who would otherwise find it difficult to attend due to the cost of travel, in making their way to the conference. Note that in addition to encouraging students to apply, we also encourage other low-income earners to apply as well.
Grant details
- A number of grants will be offered, to a total of $5,000 (or potentially more if we receive lots of worthy applications).
- Maximum amount for an individual grant is $600 if coming from within Australia or New Zealand.
- To support as many members as possible, some of the grants may be less than $600, with the amount allocated proportionally to the distance travelled, factoring in the justification provided. On the other hand, if you are traveling from a long distance from within Australia/New Zealand to reach Canberra and the travel costs are high, you can make the case for a small increase in the amount.
- If you are travelling from elsewhere in Australasia where the travel costs will be even higher, and so more funds would be required to assist your travel, please contact us and we can discuss options on a case-by-case basis.
- The grant can cover travel and/or accommodation costs (not registration fees).
Eligibility
To apply you must be:
The AMS will be providing travel grants for its membership. We recognise that some ABS members are also members of the AMS. Applications received from members who are successful in obtaining an AMS travel grant will not be funded by the ABS as we want to assist as many members as possible.
To apply you must be:
- a current ABS member;
- a student, low-income earner, wildlife rehabilitator, or conservation volunteer;
- able to present your research, caring or conservation activities at the conference (as a full-length talk, speed talk or poster);
- able to demonstrate how the travel grant will assist you being able to attend the conference.
The AMS will be providing travel grants for its membership. We recognise that some ABS members are also members of the AMS. Applications received from members who are successful in obtaining an AMS travel grant will not be funded by the ABS as we want to assist as many members as possible.
Application process
Applicants should put together a 1 - 2 page statement including the following:
Applications should be emailed to the ABS Secretary: secretary@ausbats.org.au
The application closing date is 20 April 2026.
All applicants (successful and unsuccessful) will be notified shortly after the closing date.
We look forward to receiving your applications, and seeing you at the conference.
Applicants should put together a 1 - 2 page statement including the following:
- Your name, address and contact details.
- Confirmation that you are an ABS member (if not, please join before applying);
- Confirmation that you are a student, low-income earner, wildlife rehabilitator or conservation volunteer;
- Title of your presentation for the conference, indicating the type (i.e. full-length talk, speed talk or poster);
- A summary of your research, wildlife rehabilitation or conservation activities – this can be the Abstract for your conference presentation or a broader outline of your current work;
- How attending the conference would benefit your research, wildlife rehabilitation or conservation activities;
- How the travel grant would assist you in attending the conference;
- The amount you are requesting, providing a breakdown of the costs (e.g. cost of airfares, accommodation).
Applications should be emailed to the ABS Secretary: secretary@ausbats.org.au
The application closing date is 20 April 2026.
All applicants (successful and unsuccessful) will be notified shortly after the closing date.
We look forward to receiving your applications, and seeing you at the conference.
